Last week the USFWS spread seed on the disturbed areas associated with agricultural ditch filling and in areas where watershed divides are being established. The seed will germinate this year and provide ground cover and root mass prior to next years tidal flooding. In addition to the seeding, natural sprouting has occurred over much of the disturbed areas attracting hundreds of western Canada geese to the restoration area to feed on the newly sprouting grasses. The effort to reconstruct and raise North Bank Lane, under the direction of the Federal Highways Administration, continued this week with the placement of a temporary layer of asphalt over the fill areas at Fahys and Redd creeks. The blacktop was installed to enhance road safety for motorists this winter/spring, reduce sediment runoff, and to reduce maintenance related to leaving the road graveled. Doyon Project Services continued work this week on the south vault location to remediate the area of the bores and where the Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative powerline was connected from overhead to underground. The boreholes were filled with grout to reduce water transport along the bores.

Only minor work remains to be done this fall associated with the restoration, powerline undergrounding, and North Bank Lane road improvements. Work will be suspended for the winter and early spring before resuming again next year. This update constitutes the final blog post this year. Please check back next year, as the blog will begin again when construction resumes on the project.